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| Amy Crowfoot (Dorset Police, Communications and Engagement Department, Dorset) |
Some of Dorset’s most prolific offenders have been sentenced to a combined total of over 57 years during 2015, following arrests made during the Force’s Operation Castle campaign.
Offenders from across Dorset have been caught and prosecuted for committing acquisitive crime, including robbery, burglary and vehicle crime as part of the operation.
The latest offenders to be added to the Behind Bars list are brothers Andrew and Colin Fitzpatrick, with Andrew being sentenced to seven years and his younger brother sentenced to four and a half years for burglary related offences in December 2015.
The following people were convicted in 2015:
- Darren Lane, 38 years old and of Bournemouth, sentenced to four years
- Christopher Maggs, 40 years old and of Bournemouth, sentenced to three and a half years
- Khye Porter, 23 years old and of Poole, sentenced to 19 months
- Michael Bryan Johnson, 29 years old and of Poole, sentenced to two years and five months
- Toby Roberts, 19 years old and of Bournemouth, sentenced to 12 months
- Sergio South, 43 years old and of Bournemouth, sentenced to two and a half years
- Perre Whewell, 24 years old and of Swanage, sentenced to 18 months
- James Wall, 37 years old and of Poole, sentenced to four and a half years
- Philip Bright, 40 years old and of Poole, sentenced to two and a half years
- Peter Bright, 38 years old and of Poole, sentenced to 18 months
- Peter Turner, 31 years old and of Poole, sentenced to two years
- Robbie Lyons, 37 years old and of Bournemouth, sentenced to two years
- Paul Young, 35 years old and of London, sentenced to 15 months
- Peter Evans, 26 years old and of Bournemouth, sentenced to two and a half years
- Andrew Millanaise, 38 years old and of Bournemouth, sentenced to two and a half years
- Gareth Picton, 34 years old and of Bournemouth, sentenced to two and a half years
- Terrence Cubbin, 32 years old and of Kinson, sentenced to three years
- Stacey Tutt, 43 years old and of Boscombe, sentenced to four years
- Andrew Fitzpatrick, 28 years old and of Ferndown, sentenced to seven years
- Colin Fitzpatrick, 25 years old and of Ferndown, sentenced to four a half years
Operation Castle is an ongoing initiative, but has even more resources dedicated to it when criminals traditionally increase their activity, such as Christmas and New Year.
Patrol officers and Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) work alongside detectives and plain clothed officers to find out who’s committing crime and prevent them from offending in local communities.
Detective Sergeant Mark White, of Bournemouth Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We are really pleased that the courts have sent these criminals to prison and taken them off the streets of Dorset, especially in the case of the Fitzpatrick brothers.
“These men broke into people’s homes without a second thought for the home owner. In one case, the victim was bed bound and only left the house two days in the year. The brothers struck on one of those days and the victim returned home to find a horrifying situation.
“Burglary affects victims beyond the physical loss of items and damage to property – it makes people feel uneasy for weeks and even months after the offence, which is why it’s vitally important that burglars and other criminals are placed behind bars and serve their time in prison.
“We hope this sends out a clear message that we will not tolerate this kind of activity and we will do everything in our powers to apprehend people who think they are above the law.
“Residents can help prevent becoming a target of thieves by taking simple precautions and following our Who’s Locked Up? Advice. This includes locking doors and windows and using a light timer switch if you’re going to be out for a reasonable period of time.
“I’d like to reassure members of the public that burglary is reducing year-on-year, but we still need the community to report suspicious behaviour and criminality, so I would encourage anyone with information to call Dorset Police so that we can help make their area a safer place to live, work and socialise.
“If you are aware of someone handling stolen goods or being involved in criminal activity, please call the police. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers, an independent charity, for free on 0800 555 111. You will remain anonymous and could be eligible for a reward.”
CRIME PREVENTION ADVICE
- Always keep your doors and windows shut and locked where possible, even if you’re in your property
- Use a light switch timer
- Keep shopping bags out of view, whether in the car or in the window of your house
- If you’re going on holiday, ask a friend or neighbour to park on your driveway and make sure any post is put through your letter box properly
- Cancel deliveries of milk, newspapers or any other regular delivery items
- Fit a burglar alarm and make sure it’s set when property is unoccupied
- Do not leave car, door or window keys on view. Never leave keys within reach of a letterbox or a window.
- Register valuable property at http://www.immobilise.com or keep an inventory including description, serial number and photograph of each item
- Ask your local Neighbourhood Watch to keep an eye on your home while you are away.
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